A Message from SPH Foundation CEO Lecina Hicke 

It has been my sincere privilege to take on the role of CEO of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation during such an exciting and inspirational time in our organization’s history. Today, if you were to drive past the future site of the Hospice at Glengarda at 301 Hilliard Street, you would see a buzz of progress and construction. Each beam that is put in place, every wall that is built brings us one step closer to realizing our dream of establishing our province’s first, free-standing residential hospice.

And it’s all because of you. The community stepped up in a way we couldn’t have dreamed. Thanks to donors like you, we’ve raised $19.5 million towards the campaign and worked to increase awareness and appreciation for the importance of access to good, quality end-of-life care. 

If we’ve done our job well, our Close to Home Campaign has demonstrated that good end-of-life care is more than just a building: it is a philosophy of care. Just as important as having a space to deliver good end-of-life care is having the resources and the programs to support patients and families as they face an emotionally, spiritually and psychologically difficult time. 

Because of your remarkable generosity, programs such as the Healing Arts, Spiritual Care and Bereavement Care will support patients and families facing the end of life in the Hospice at Glengarda as well as in their homes. In addition, caregivers working in all areas of healthcare will be supported in learning how best to deliver compassionate end-of-life care.  
 
I often think of our dear friend Gord Engel who generously shared his story in hopes of creating awareness and understanding that each and every day, families just like his faced an uncertain future when it comes to knowing what their final days might look like and where they might be spent. 

It was Gord’s wish that we would work towards a future wherein families would have access to a facility that would provide solace, support and serenity as they faced their final days. We see our goal, so very close to being within our reach, and we continue to work towards it daily with passion in honour and celebration of Gord and his wish. 

We are so grateful for the generosity we have received and we want to celebrate each and every person who helped us lay the foundation for the Hospice at Glengarda. Right now, with expressed permission, every single donor who gives $500 or more to the Close to Home Campaign will have their name honoured as a part of the permanent campaign recognition at the Hospice. It’s a perfect way to join us in this historical moment and to ensure your name is a part of this important legacy.

Architectural conceptualization of permanent donor recognition at the Hospice at Glengarda.

Another way to support the Close to Home Campaign through our Christmas Doves. You can make a donation online or you can purchase a dove in the Hospital and share the name of a loved one, someone who is special to you, or someone you wish to remember. The doves will be displayed in the Hospital throughout the Christmas season.

However you might choose to support the Close to Home Campaign, or if you’ve supported it in the past, I thank you. I thank you for your thoughtfulness and I thank you for your inspirational compassion. I look forward to sharing exciting updates as we take steps towards establishing a new, fulsome approach to accessible, compassionate, quality end-of-life care.